Original Paper

No Effect of Anti-Interleukin-5 Therapy (Mepolizumab) on the Atopy Patch Test in Atopic Dermatitis Patients
J.M. Oldhoff^a, U. Darsow^{b, c}, T. Werfel^d, I.C. Bihari^a, K. Katzer^{b, c}, J. Laifaoui^{b, c}, S. Plötz^{b, c}, A. Kapp^d, E.F. Knol^a, C.A.F.M. Bruijnzeel-Koomen^a, J. Ring^{b, c}, M.S. de Bruin-Weller<sup>a

a</sup>Department of Dermatology and Allergology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands;
^bDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, and
^cDivision of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy GSF, Technical University Munich, Munich, and
^dDepartment of Dermatology and Allergology, Hannover Medical University, Hannover, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2006;141:290-294 (DOI: 10.1159/000095299)

  Key Words

• Anti-interleukin-5 antibody
• Atopic dermatitis
• Atopy patch test
• Eosinophils
• Mepolizumab
• Skin biopsies

  Abstract

Background: The atopy patch test (APT) is an in vivo model to study the induction of eczema by inhalant allergens in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. Mepolizumab is a monoclonal antibody to interleukin-5, which reduces peripheral blood eosinophils. Previously, we reported that mepolizumab treatment did not result in clinical improvement in AD. The current study investigates the effect of mepolizumab therapy on the APT in the same patients. Methods: Mepolizumab treatment was given at days 0 and 7 in a double-blind placebo-controlled design. The APT was applied at days -2, 0, 14 and 28. Clinical evaluation of each APT was conducted 48 h after application at days 0, 2, 16 and 30. Skin biopsies were taken at days 0, 2 and 16 for eosinophil counts. Results: The mepolizumab-treated group showed no significant reduction in macroscopic outcome of the APT. Tissue eosinophils were reduced in the mepolizumab-treated group at day 16 compared with placebo; however, this was not significant. Conclusion: Mepolizumab therapy cannot prevent the eczematous reaction induced by the APT. Furthermore, the influx of tissue eosinophil numbers in the APT is not significantly inhibited after mepolizumab treatment compared with placebo, despite a significant reduction in peripheral blood eosinophils.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Dr. J.M. Oldhoff
Department of Dermatology/Allergology, UMC Utrecht
Heidelberglaan 100, G02.124
NL-3584 CX Utrecht (The Netherlands)
Tel. +31 30 250 7388, Fax +31 30 250 5404, E-Mail j.m.oldhoff@umcutrecht.nl

  Article Information

J.M.O. and U.D. contributed equally to this study.

Received: January 31, 2006
Accepted after revision: April 20, 2006
Published online: August 23, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 19